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“You’re talking to us,” said Coop.
Anabella nodded. “That’s because when I left my loft this morning, I’m sure I was followed, which I’m pretty sure means they know I’m here.”
“That’s not a bad thing, Anabella. Why don’t you just stay here in the conference room and let us talk with our boss. He’s out of town, but I don’t think this will wait. We have several safe rooms here on the third floor. We’ll put you up in one…”
“I can get a hotel. Actually, I’m probably being silly and should just go home.”
Coop shook his head. “No. I don’t think it’s safe. You’ll remain here until we figure out what’s going on. Let us talk to King and the rest of the team. We’ll probably have food brought in. Do you like Chinese?”
“Love it.”
“There are menus over in the drawer by the coffeemaker and fridge. Help yourself to anything you take a fancy to. Hit zero on the phone and it’ll go to Alicia’s desk. Just let her know what you want.”
“So, you believe me?” she asked, more desperately than she would have liked. Anabella wasn’t used to feeling so unsettled and afraid. That was it, she was afraid.
“Yes, we do, and my guess is we’ll take your case. If not, we’ll still come up with a game plan to keep you safe.” Coop gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze. “Try and relax, Anabella; we’ve got this. No one is going to be able to hurt you.”
“Do you really believe that?”
“I know for a fact there’s no place in the City of Chicago that can offer you greater protection. We’ve got your back.”
“Thank you.”
Anabella watched the two gorgeous men leave and head toward one of the private offices. She leaned back in the chair and closed her eyes. For the first time in the last several days, she felt it was safe to do so.
CHAPTER3
COOPER
As the door to the soundproof conference room closed securely behind them, Seth said, “Do you believe her?”
“I believe that she believes. I believe she’s in way over her head. My guess is she thought she was doing something at the behest of the company’s founder to help him, and now she’s finding out what a snake he is. She’s found something that implicates the company and perhaps even Blackwood himself, and she’s a bit freaked out.”
“I agree. The old man’s public persona hides a truly black soul that very few ever survive finding. He probably thought Junior or one of his other flunkies was stealing from him or was using his business to cover his own and he wanted Anabella to find it. Basically, he’s got her doing undercover, corporate espionage work. And she’s an accountant, for God’s sake. A sexy one, but quiet and studious—what were they thinking?”
“You think she’s quiet and studious?”
“Don’t you?”
“No. I see a woman of fire and ice—one who could burn for a man she loved and who loved her in return and become ice to anyone who betrayed her. I think there’s a whole lot of loveliness hiding out under that trench coat.”
“Well, you would know, you laid on top of her long enough.”
“I wanted to make sure she wasn’t in danger from whoever was having a shoot ‘em up outside our doors.”
Seth chuckled. “You just keep telling yourself that, buddy. The doors were locked, and the metal shutters engaged. She was safe. I think you just liked it up there.”
“Knock it off, Seth. She’s a client.”
“So were Samantha and Camille at one point in time.”
Coop rolled his eyes. “You’re delusional. Let’s get King on the phone. I think as we’re both on the same page, he’s going to give us the green light.”
“Of course, he is. Damsel in distress? Cerberus is here to slay the evil dragon.”
Walking into King’s office, they initiated a video call.
“Gentlemen,” said King, who from the sounds of it was at Southside’s sister club, Baker Street, in London, “to what do I owe this honor?”
